THE VISION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

FOREWORD

    Even though I may run the risk of sounding overly mystical or even occultic, let me say that there have been various occasions during our work on this writing when I have distinctly felt Jane Leade's presence and aid in this undertaking. I cannot explain it, nor do I understand it. It has simply been the case. I was asked by one caller if we felt we were qualified for such an undertaking. The answer is, "No, only willing."

    We recognize the extraordinary worth of Jane Leade's writings and their value to myself and the many others throughout the remnant body living at this time. Therefore we have, in our attempt to make her outdated manner of writing more easily read and understood, sought to make as few changes in her original style and flavor as possible.

    You will notice, no doubt, as you read these books that there are some instances of wrong punctuation and sentence structure. This is to allow Jane Leade to speak to us through her own, I believe, divinely inspired idiom. We have given special attention to run-on sentences and mis-spelled words, as well as those words whose meaning has changed entirely since her time (Example: She sometimes refers to "the Divine Magia" This word in her day meant "wise or wisdom" and was used to describe the three "wisemen" who found Jesus by use of the star and brought gifts to Him. Today it still means the same thing . . . to those who happen to be informed, but to most it simply refers to magic and the occultic.). Sentences of Jane Leade's day sometimes ran on for a half page or more. We simply broke the sentence down, maintaining the original thought, until it became more understandable to the modern reader.

    Also, I have sought to keep the footnotes to a bare minimum, not wanting to take away from, or to set aside, her own statements. It is not footnotes we need so much as it is the faithful guidance of the Holy Spirit who introduced these things to Jane Leade.

    Seldom in one's lifetime does one come in contact with a ministry and an instrument of God so yielded, so dedicated to God only, so pure in its operation as we find in the instrument, Jane Leade. I have served the Lord now for more than 30 years and have read most if not all the really good authors of our time and without doubt or equivocation, Jane Leade is light-years ahead of them all. I believe the reason for this is that she was chosen of God as an instrument for the peculiar work of helping to prepare a people living today for the fulfillment of God's ultimate purpose for mankind. Because of that, she was made a partaker of grace to actually enter further into the experiences about which she speaks than most have merely understood.

    It is my opinion that the books we are now printing, or similar ones by Jane Leade, will continue in greater and greater demand during the next 1,000 years, as men and women continue winding their way up Mt. Zion on the ladder of ascension in order to be installed into that City called The New Jerusalem.

    That is why Betty and I feel so absolutely thrilled, humbled and privileged to have even the small part we have in making them available to those with ears and hearts prepared for them. We fully realize that what we have been able to do thus far has been only because of those of you who also realize the worth of this work and have been selected by the Lord to do your part in the His vineyard. We do not see this as our work, because without you we are helpless. So please hold us up in your prayers that these writings are not only made available to the body, but that they are made available in a timely and presentable fashion.

    May the Lord cause the gold and silver strewn throughout Jane Leade's writings to be found by those who read these pages and cause them to enter into their realities. Bless you!